ostensibly able to vs ostensibly able to have

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'Ostensibly able to' is used when describing someone's ability or capability, while 'ostensibly able to have' is used when referring to someone's ability to possess or obtain something.

Last updated: March 20, 2024 • 827 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"ostensibly able to "

This phrase is used to describe someone's ability or capability in a particular situation, often with a sense of doubt or skepticism.

Examples:

He was ostensibly able to complete the task, but I'm not sure if he actually did.
The company is ostensibly able to deliver the product on time, but there may be delays.
She is ostensibly able to handle the responsibility, but we need to confirm.
The team is ostensibly able to win the game, but their performance is unpredictable.
The system is ostensibly able to process large amounts of data, but we need to test it first.

Show examples from the web [+]

Jan 7, 2016 ... He's had a former president on his payroll, ostensibly able to open doors nobody else can. When Burkle did not want embarrassing details in ...
Innovation was stifled, however, and prices were unregulated. (In the case of patent corporations, the town or monarch was ostensibly able to regulate prices by ...
Nov 15, 2015 ... ... a vibrant democracy ostensibly able to synthesise Islam and freedom, and Turkey's re-emergence as a regional power that could serve as a ...
there was no one ostensibly able to act on behalf of Chelsea, whose corporate governance was mysterious. AGB applied to Court to compel transfer of the.

Alternatives:

seemingly able to
apparently able to
supposedly able to
allegedly able to
purportedly able to

This phrase is correct but less commonly used in English.

"ostensibly able to have"

This phrase is used when referring to someone's ability to possess or obtain something, often with a sense of doubt or skepticism.

Examples:

He was ostensibly able to have the information, but he refused to share it.
The company is ostensibly able to have access to the resources, but there are restrictions.
She is ostensibly able to have the support of her team, but there are conflicts.
The team is ostensibly able to have the advantage in the competition, but they need to prove themselves.
The system is ostensibly able to have the capacity to handle the workload, but we need to verify.

Show examples from the web [+]

Nov 4, 2009 ... ... little king or queen, the centre of their own universe, ostensibly able to have whatever they want, whenever they want and however they want.

Alternatives:

seemingly able to possess
apparently able to obtain
supposedly able to have
allegedly able to possess
purportedly able to obtain

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ostensibly able to vs ostensibly able to have